Hello everyone,

Today, we're releasing a new update for Species: Unknown, mainly focused on adjustments to the progression system introduced with Stormrock, along with fixes related to player save data.

Since Stormrock's release last week, we've received a lot of feedback from you. We've taken the time to read your messages, discuss them as a team, and work on solutions to address the main issues you've encountered and the suggestions you've shared.

Progression System Adjustments

With Stormrock, we introduced a new progression system designed to give players more objectives and a stronger sense of long-term progression.

While many players appreciated the idea behind the Rank system, others found certain aspects too restrictive and linear, particularly when it came to accessing equipment. We also identified additional issues caused by the randomness of the available contracts.

We've therefore made several changes:

• Tools, weapons, and upgrades for your character and shuttle are no longer locked behind Challenges. We felt it was important to give players more freedom to equip themselves however they want, and in whichever order they prefer.

• Completing a Challenge in a mission with a higher Danger level than required will now count towards its completion. Challenges from higher Ranks can also be completed without having finished the previous Rank.

Our goal remains to preserve the value of the new objectives and rewards introduced with Stormrock, while maintaining the freedom that has always been part of the Species: Unknown experience.

Save Restoration

We've also heard your frustration regarding the save reset introduced with Stormrock. We underestimated its impact, and we're sorry for the inconvenience it caused.

Thanks to the changes we've made to the progression system, we're now able to reverse our decision to reset saves and restore previous progression data for affected players.

Here's how it works:

• If you haven't launched the game since Stormrock: your existing save data has been preserved. You won't notice any changes.

• If you've launched the game since Stormrock, you'll be able to choose between two options:

  • Option 1: Restore your previous progress. We'll merge your previous save with any progress you've made since the Stormrock update. This means credits from both saves will be combined, progress in your Specimen Area will be restored from both saves, and you'll also recover your previously acquired upgrades and equipment.

  • Option 2: Keep only your progress made since Stormrock. We've included this option because some players told us they actually enjoyed starting over from scratch.

We didn't want the time you've spent playing since the update to go to waste.

If you choose to restore your save, any Steam Achievements for which we can verify that you've already met the requirements will also be awarded retroactively.

Full v0.26.5 Changelog

Added

• Save data restored: Save data will not be reset for players who have not played the Stormrock update yet.

• For players whose save has already been reset, an in-game popup allows to choose between recovering progress from your previous save (merging it with progress made since the reset) or keeping only the progress made since the Stormrock update.

• Added signs in several areas of HGC Stormrock

• Added sand particles on sand worms

Changed

• Progression system rework: Shop purchases (tools, weapons, shuttle upgrades) are no longer limited by rank

• Challenges can be unlocked in higher ranks before finishing the previous rank

• Challenges which required “Danger 1” mission now requires “Danger 1 or more”

• The mission timer now starts when the shuttle opens to facilitate speed run challenges

• The wheel object is now visible on the map in HGC Stormrock

• Clarified that infected bodies are the ones to burn for the “The least I can do” challenge

• Clarified that an elimination mission is required for the “Courage of Steel” challenge

• Updated in-game news text to remove save reset mention

Fixed

• Challenges can now be scrolled with a gamepad

• Fixed unlock of the “Bookworm” challenge

• Fixed the “Parry” challenge being validated with ID_006’s jump attack

• Fixed the “Marathon Runner” challenge being completable with adrenaline shots

• Fixed “Bounty Hunter” challenge counting Danger 2 missions instead of Danger 3 minimum

• Fixed the “O” key not working when rebound

• Fixed an issue with the Black box and weapons in the elevator

• Fixed collision problems with Rover door in HGC Stormrock

• Fixed a visual glitch in the first building’s storage room when spectating in Game Over

What's Next?

Stormrock represents an important milestone in the development of Species: Unknown. These first few days have also reminded us just how valuable your feedback is in helping shape the game throughout Early Access.

We know that some of the changes introduced with Stormrock didn't meet your expectations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, both positive and critical, and to help us improve the game. This is especially important to us as Species: Unknown continues its journey through Early Access towards version 1.0.

With these adjustments in place, we can now continue focusing on developing new content for Species: Unknown.

Work on new features and content had already begun before Stormrock's release, and we're continuing to move forward. There's still plenty we want to bring to the game, and we're looking forward to sharing more with you when the time is right.

As always, thank you for your patience, your support, and your involvement in the development of Species: Unknown.

The WanadevStudio Team